Yarn winding



March 28, 1944.

H. WORTHINGTON YARN WINDING Filed June 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR Hood Vlqrtlzil g Ion I Q l ATTORNEY I March 28, 1944. IwORTl-NGTQN 2,345,544

YARN WINDING Filed June 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY March 28,1944. H ORTHINGTON 2,345,544

YARN WINDING Filed June 1'7, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ml'tllilgtollINVENTORQ ATTQRNEY March 28, 1944.

H. WORTHING TON YARN WINDING Filed June 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H0 0 dmlfhilklg'toll INVENTOR A RN March 28, 1944. H. WORTHINGTON 2,345,544

YARN WINDING Filed June 17, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l3:16 I I 15 HoodWat-ma ma ATTORNEY' March 28, 1944. H. WORTHINGTCN YARN WINDING FiledJune 1'7, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 9 i 0 law m w 5 m fww m a m m m l t 0H|ILI W/ r 4 N25. 0 v if H 1 V 4. i U

Patented Mar. 28, 1944 YARN WINDING Hood Worthington, Wilmington, DeL,assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a,corporation or Delaware Application June 17, 1942, Serial No. 447,481

Claims.

This invention relates to yarn winding and, more particularly, itrelates to a new and improved wound yarn package and method andapparatus for obtaining the same. More specifically, the inventionrelates generally to a yarn package comprising a plurality of yarnswound substantially in side-by-side relationship in a new manner on to ayarn support, and a new and unique method and apparatus for winding thesame.

It has been known, heretofore, to wind 2. plurality of yarns insubstantial side-by-side relationship on to a yarn support. It has alsobeen known to traverse said plurality of yarns across the full length ofthe winding surface.

Such previously known methods for winding and traversing a plurality ofyarns on to a single yarn support were particularly defective if theyarns were made up of parallel bundles of untwisted filaments. If theplurality of untwisted yarns is laid down on the yarn package in asingle bundle, it is diificult to separate the yarns again when they areunwound, since the filaments of the several yarns will entangle witheach other. If the yarns are maintained separate from each other as theyare wound and traversed from end to end of the yarn package, theextremities, or shoulders, of the package are excessivelysoft.

It is an object of the present invention to pro- .duce a firm-shoulderedyarn package comprising a plurality of yarns wound in side-by-siderelationship and free from objectionable intertwining of yarn filamentsof the respective yarns.

It is another object of the present invention to produce afirm-shouldered yarn package comprising a plurality of yarns wound inside-byside relationship and traversed from end to end of the package,said package-being free from objectionable intertwining of yarnfilaments of the respective yarns.

It is another object of this invention to wind a plurality of yarns inside-by-side relationship on to a yarn support from which the woundyarns can be removed wit dation.

The objects of this invention may be accomplished, in general, bysimultaneously winding and traversing a plurality of yarns on to a yamsupport withthe yarns spaced from each other on the central portion ofthe support and substantially contiguous with each other adjacent to thends of the support, the relative position of the yarns to each otherbeing the same in both directions of traverse.

a minimum of yarn degra- Other objects of the invention will appearhereinafter.

The details of the invention will be more clearly apparent by referenceto the following detailed description when taken in connection with theaccompanying illustrations, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one construction of apparatussuitable for use in carrying out the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational paratus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of a yarn guideconstructed in accordance with the details of the invention.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the guide shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a modified yarn guide for use inaccordance with the invention.

view of the ap- Figure 6 is an end elevational view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a modified form of yarntraversing apparatus for use in the present invention.

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view or the traversing apparatus shownin Figure 7 as the package approaches completion of wind.

Figure 10 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a modified form ofyarn traversing mechanism for'use in winding fouryams.

Figure 12 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown'in Figure11.-

Figure 13 is a front, elevational view of still another modified form ofyarn winding and traverslng apparatus constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 are enlarged front elevational views of modifiedforms of yarn guides.

Figure 17 is an end elevational view of still another modified form Ofyarn winding and traversing apparatus constructed, in accordance withthe present invention.

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 17.,

Figure 19 is a front elevational view of the ap-' paratus shown inFigure 17.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing a yarn packagewound in accordance with the present invention,

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 2|designates two yarns drawn from a synthetic yarn spinning apparatus, or

, other source (not shown) by means of feed roll 23. The yarns 2| arefed to a yarn guide 27 comprising two spaced yarn guiding elements 25and 26 and a yarn separating pin 29. The yarns 2| are passed through theguide slot defined by guiding elements 25 and 26, one yarn being passed,

on each .side of separating pin 29. Yarn guide 2! is oscillatedsubstantially longitudinally of the axis of yarnpackage 33 being formedon yarn support 31. The 'yarn guide 2'5 is oscillated by means ofpivoted bar 3!,reciprocating bar 35, and grooved cylinder cam 33 in-aknown manner to traverse the yarnbeing wound on the package 39.

As the yarn guide 21 is oscillated, it is tilted at the ends of thetraverse stroke. The pin 29 maintains the yarns 2| separated from eachother across the space between the guide elements more be noted that theyarns are not caused to cross each other but maintain the same relativeposition to each other in both directions of traverse.

Figures 3 and 40f the drawings show in greater detail the yarn guide 21.The separating pin 29 is preferably positioned sufficiently aboveguidingelements 25 and 26 to bring .the yarns into contiguity with eachother when the guide 21 is tilted at the ends of the traverse stroke,

Figures 5 and 6 show a. slightly 'modifled form of traverse guide 21 inwhich the yarn guiding elements 25 and 26 as well as the yarn separatingmember 29 all consist of pins which are spaced from each other.

Referring to Figures '7 to of the drawings, two yarns 2| are passed onopposite sides of separating pin 42 and between spaced yarn guidingelements 43 and 45. The yarn guiding member, generally designated by 4|,is reciprocated back and forth adjacent yarn support 83 by means ofreciprocating traverse bar 44. The yarn guiding member 4| and theguiding elements 43 and 45 receive a purely reciprocating motion, as isclearly shown in Figure 7, during the first part of the windingoperation. As the yarn package increases in size, the yarn guidingmember including elements 43 and 45 is caused to tilt at the ends of thetraverse strokes by means of pivoted track 41, cam 53 and cam follower55. The yarn guiding member 4| is provided with a roller 48 operating ina' groove in track 41. The roller 49 is positioned at the end of a smallbell crank lever 5| which in turn is connected to the yarn guidingmember 4|. As the yarn package builds up on yarn support 63, the swingarm 59 will move away from the surface drive roller 6|. The cam 53 ispositioned on an arm 51, which in turn is connected .to swing arm 59.The cam 53 will, therefore, be drawn under the cam follower 55 causingtrack 41 to be pivoted about its pivot port from one extreme to theother extreme of the package. As the yarn package increases in size,however, the-yarn guiding member M will tilt inwardly thereby causingthe yarns to be laid down in contiguity at the ends of the package, butin spaced relationship to each other in the central portion of thepackage. In this modification, the ends of the yarn package are alsogradually beveled as shown in Figure 9.,

Referring to Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings, four yarns 2| are passedfrom the feed roll 23 to a yarn guide comprising two spaced upper yamguiding elements 8| and83 and two spaced lower guiding elements 85 and8! as well as a centrally located yarn separating pin 9|. The yarnspassing between the feed 'roll 23 and the yarn guide are passed about aseries of fixed pins ll, 73, lb and Ti positioned on a support 19. Theyarn 2i passed about fixed pin H is passed over spaced yarn guidingelements 8i and 81. The yarn 2| which is passed about fixed pin 13 ispassed about the lefthand side (as viewed in the drawings) of pin 9|.The yarn passing about fixed pin 15 is passed about the righthand sideof pin ill and the yarn passing about fixed pin ll passes over spacedyarn guiding elements "13 and 15. In this manner, the four yarm areclearly separated from each other when the yarn guide composed of theguiding elements and separating member is positioned against the centralpoint of the yarn package. The yarn guide is traversed by means of anoscillating or curvilinear motion whereby the guide is tilted in thesame manner as above described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. At theends of the traverse strokes, due to the tilting of the yarn guide, theplurality of yarns are all laid down in close contiguity with each otherto form a firm shoulder on the yarn package 33. The yarn package 93 maybe rotated by means of a surface drive roll 95. The yarn guide may begiven an oscillating or curvilinear motion in any desired manner, forexample, by means of apparatus such as shown in Figures land 2 or 7 to10 of the drawings.

Figure 13 of the drawings illustrates a modification of the invention inwhich four yarns are wound and traversed on to a package by means ofonly two fixed pins I0! and I03. Two of the yarns 2| are passed aboutfixed pin IM. These two yarns are split, one of them passing over spacedyarn guiding pins Hi5 and ll 0 and the other passing on the lefthandside of seppackage H3 may be rotated by means of surface point 50. Asclearly shown in Figures 9 and 10,

drive roller. H5. The several yarn guiding pins I05, I01, I09 and H0 aretilted at the ends of their traverse strokes in the manner illustrated2,845,544 yarn separating pin I25 is positioned between these members. IFigure of the drawings is a modified form of yarn guiding member inwhich two spaced yarn The yarns may be passed to four members andpreferably slightly closer to the pins I35 and I31 than to elements I33and Figure 16 illustrates another modified form of guide in whichelongated yarn guiding elements I45 and I41 are positioned above spacedyarn guiding pins I43 and III, Although this is a somewhat obviousmodification of the other elements shown, it is illustrative of the manymodifications which can be made in the apparatus of the presentinvention.

Referring to Figures 17, 18 and 19 of the drawings, two yarns 2| arepassed to the yarn package I1I which is rotated by means of surfacedrive roller I13. A yarn traversing means is interposed between the feedroll 23 and the yarn package I'II. The traversing means comprises twospaced yarn guiding elements I5I and I53 which are fastened to areciprocating traverse bar I69.

A yarn separating pin I59 is mounted slightly v above the yarn guideelements I5I and I53 to contact only one of the two yarns H. The yarnseparating pin is brought into and out of contact with the one yarn 2|to periodically separate the two yarns across the space between theguiding elements I5I and I53. The pin I59 is moved into andout ofcontact with the one yarn 2| by mounting the same on a bell crank leverI51, one end of which is pivoted to a projecting support I55 and theother end of which is mounted to travel along a cam surface I61. A camsurface following member I55 is mounted on the end of the bell cranklever I51. The yarn separating pin I59 is mounted in the elbow portionof the bell crank lever. The bell crank lever is so pivoted to thesupport I55 that upon raising of the lever by means of follower pin I65,the separating pin I59 will be moved perpendicularly above the slotdefined by yarn separating elements I51 and I53 thus forcing one of thetwo yarns 2| into contact with the yarn guiding element opposite to theone which it would normally contact. This is clearly shown by dottedlines in Figure 19. The cam following pin I65 is maintained in contactwith the cam surface by means of coil spring I53. A bell crank lever ispivoted to the support I55 at IGI.

It will be noted that the yarn separating pin I59 functions to separatethe twoyarns 2| in only one direction of traverse of the traverse bar.In the apparatus shown, the yarns are separated only when the traversebar moves the yarn guiding and separating elements in the lefthanddirection as viewed in the drawings. In this form of apparatus, the yarnguiding elements may be reciprocated in a linear movement as shown,

Referring to Figure of the drawings, reference characters a and bdesignate the convolutions of the two yarns which are simultaneouslywound on to a yarn package 39 by the method generally illustrated inFigures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The yarns a and b as shown in thedrawings, represent the last wound layer of yarn and clearly show howthe two yarns will be spaced from each other on all portions of the yarnpackage except that portion adjacent the ends of the yarn package wherethey are substantially contiguous with each other.

traversing mechanism for The method and apparatus of the presentinvention is suitable for use in the winding of a plurality of yarns onto a single yarn support.

the winding apparatus from any desired source, for example, yarnspinning apparatus, separate yarn packages or the like. The yarns, ofcourse, may be composed of natural fibers, nylon, viscose; cellulosederivatives, or any other fiberor filament-forming materials. While theinvention is obviously of particular utility in the winding of aplurality of yarns with untwisted filament bundles, it will .beunderstood that it can be used with equal facility in the winding of orless twist.

A number of modifications of a winding .and use in accordance with thepresent invention have been illustrated. 0bviously, many furthermodified forms of traversing mechanism can be used within the nature andspirit of the invention. It is only necessary that the mechanism operateto wind the yarns in separated relationship along the central portion ofthe yarn package'and in substantial contiguity with each other adjacentthe ends of the yarn package. It is not necessary, of course, that theyarns be laid in close contact with each other at the ends of thepackage. It is sufiicient if the yarns are close enough to each other attheends of the yarn package so as to wind a yarn package with desirablyfirm shoulders,

In constructing the apparatus illustrated above, it is desired'that theseparating pin as Well as the spaced yarn guiding elements be smooth andof suificiently hard material to prevent abrasion and give long wearingcharacteristics to the apparatus. The dimensions'of the yarn separatingpin and the space between the yarn guiding elements are not criticalexcept that the space between the guiding elements and the distance ofyarns containing more the yarn separating pin above the guiding ele-.

ments must be such that upon traverse of the yarn guide; the yarns willbe brought into materially closer contact with each other adjacent tothe ends of the yarn package than at the central portion of the yarnpackage. For example, the yarn separating pin may be of the order of /2inch in length and ie inch in diameter. Preferably, the diameter of thyarn separating pin is less than four times the width of the slotdefined by the spaced yarn guiding elements. The yarn separating pin maybe positioned between inch and 1 inch above the yarn guiding elements.

The yarn separating pin may be attached directly to the yarnguidingelements; however, the invention is not so limited. It is onlynecessary that the yarn separating pin move along with the yarn guidingelements to effectively maintain the separation of the yarns-as they arewound on the central portion of the package. As shown in Figures 17, '18and 19, the yarn separating pin may be movable relative to the yarnguiding elements to be placed into and out of contact with one of theyarns so as to the yarns being. wound.

In many of the modifications illustrated and described, the plurality ofyarns are gradually moved from their separated positions adjacent thecentral portion of the package to their position in substantialcontiguity to each other at the ends of the package. Such a gradual, orprogressive, movement of the yarns towards each other is not essentialin accordance with the present invention. The yarns may be maintainedseparated from each other to an equal extent effect a separation ofthroughout the major portion of the traverse stroke but brought intocontact with each other rapidly adjacent the-ends of strokes in themanner shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19.

It is, however, essential in accordance with the present invention thatthe plurality oi yarns be maintained in the same relative position toeach other in both directions of traverse, i. e., a given yarn willalways be in the lead when the yarns are traversed in the righthanddirection and another given yarn will always be in the lead when theyarns are traversed in the lefthand direction. This will preventcrossing of the yarns adjacent the package ends. Such crossing of theyarns ad- I jacent the package ends is objectionable when the yarns areto be unwound from the package by drawing the same from one end thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to wind aplurality of yarns consisting of one ormore filaments in side-by-siderelationship on to a yarn support to form a highly desirable packagehaving firm shoulders, and from which the yarns may be readily unwoundwithout objectionable degradation of the yarns or filaments.

The apparatus of the present invention is com paratively simple and maybe operated for lon periods of time with high machine efliciency. Theyarn package produced in accordance with the present invention may beunwound in any desired manner without degradation of the yarn filaments;The yarn may be wound from the side of the package with the packagerotated by.

means of a surface, center, or rim drive means such as is well known inthe art, or the yarn may be merely pulled from the side of the packagewith the package free to rotate on a spindle by the pull of the yarn.drawn from one end of the package with the package maintainedsubstantially stationary.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modificationscan be made inthe above-described details without departing from the nature and spiritof the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the details described herein except as set forth in the saidyarns to each other being the same in both directions of traverse.

2. The method of simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns on to ayarn support which comprises traversing said yarns back and forth.

while winding the same onto said yarn support, maintaining said yarnsspaced a given distance from each other on the central portion of saidsupport and more closely spaced from each other adjacent to the ends ofsaid support, the relative position of saidyarns to each other being thesame in both directions of traverse.

3. The method of simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns on to ayarn support which comprises traversing said yarns back and forth whileWinding the same on to said yarn support, maintaining said yarns spaceda given distance from each other on' the central portion ofsaid supportand progressively more closely spaced irom each other adjacent to theends of said support, the relative position of said yarns to eachotherbeing the sam'ein both directions of traverse.

4. A wound yarn package containing a plurality oi yarns wound in sideby-side relationship on a yarn support, said plurality of yarns beingspaced from each other on. the central portion of said package andsubstantially contiguous with each other at the ends of said package,the relative position of said yarns toeach other being the samethroughout the package.

5. A would yarn package containing a pinrality oi yarns wound insirle-by-side relationship on a yarn support, said plurality or yarnsbeing spaced a given distance from each other on the central portion ofsaid package and more closely spaced from each other at the ends of saidpackage, the relative position of said yarns to each other being thesame throughout the package.

6. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneous- 1y winding a plurality oiyarns on to a rotating yarn support, a yarn traversing mechanism,

' spaced yarn guiding elements on said traversing Furthermore, the yarnsmay be.

mechanism for guiding said plurality of yarns on to said yarn support,yarn separating means cooperatively positioned, relative to said guidingelements, to separate said yarns from each other across the spacebetween said spaced guiding elements when the latter are positionedadjacent to the central portion of said support and to place said yarnssubstantially in contact with each other when said elements are adjacentto the ends of said support.

7. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality ofyarns on to a rotating yarn support, a yarn traversing mechanism, spacedyarn guiding elements on said traversing mechanism for guiding saidplurality of yarns on to said yam support, yarn separating means,movable, relative to said guiding elements, to separate said yarns fromeach other across the space betweensaid spaced guiding elements when thelatter are positioned adjacent to the central portion of said supportand to place said yarns substantially in contact with each other whensaid elements are adjacent to the ends of said support.

8. A yam winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality ofyarns on to a rotating yarn support, a yarn traversing mechanism,

spaced yarn guiding elements on said traversing mechanism for guidingsaid plurality of yarns on to said yarn support, cam controlled yarnseparating means movable, relative to said guiding elements, to separatesaid yarns from each other across the space between said spaced guidingelements when the latter are positioned adjacent to the central portionof said support, and to place said yarns substantially in contact witheach other when said elements are adjacent to the ends of said support.s

9. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality ofyarns on to a rotating yarn support, a yarn traversing mechanism, spacedyarn guiding elements on said traversing mechanism for guiding saidplurality of yarns on to said yarn support, yarnseparating means fixedrelative to said guiding elements and cooperating with the latter toseparate said yarns from each other across the space between said,

spaced guiding elements when the latter are positioned adjacent to thecentral portion of said support, and to place said yarns substantiallyin contact with each other when said elements are adjacent to the endsof said support.

10. A yarn winding apparatus for simultaneously winding a plurality ofyarns on to a rotating yarn support, a yarn traversing mechanism, spacedyam guiding elements on said traversing mechanism for guiding saidplurality of yarns on to said yarn support, said yarn traversingmechanism adapted to oscillate said spaced yarn guiding elementssubstantially longitudinally of the axis of said yarn support, a yarnseparating means fixed relative to said guiding elements and in i0alignment with the space between said guiding elements, atleast one ofsaid yarns passing on one side of said separating means and at leastanother of said yarns passing on the other side of said separatingmeans, said separating means positioned a sufllcient distance above saidyarn guiding elements to cause said yarns to be laid down, adjacent theends of the package, in substantial contiguity with each other as aresult of the oscillation of said elements.

HOOD WORTHINGTON.

